Although UConn’s 12th national championship has yet to settle into the trophy case in Storrs, it’s too tempting not to begin to look towards what’s next in women’s college basketball.
Will the Huskies repeat, capturing a lucky 13th championship? Will South Carolina reload and respond with a vengeance? Can UCLA and Texas find redemption after disappointing Final Four performances?
Here’s a peak at Swish Appeal’s way-to-early top six teams for 2025-26:
1. South Carolina Gamecocks
Could their blowout loss in the national title game be the best thing to happen to South Carolina, at least in terms of the 2026 championship prospects?
Based on their postgame comments, the Gamecocks are eager to use Sunday’s embarrassment as fuel. And we saw what happened last time a Dawn Staley team lost before raising the trophy, as their 2023 Final Four loss to Iowa turned into an undefeated, title-winning season in 2024.
While South Carolina will lose their best shooter in Te-Hina Paopao, their defensive organizer in Sania Feagin and at least one of their best perimeter defenders in Bree…
